The Heart of Black - A Harry Potter Story

Chapter 10 - Lily and the Storm

Rain lashed down on the windows of the train. The rolling hills showing pathces of green as the snow began to melt.

Sky rested her forehead against the cold glass and stared out of the window. She was tired. She hadn't slept in weeks, the same nigtmare haunted her sleep everytime she closed her eyes. The hooded figure gliding across the room, towards two sleeping figures. The muggle-borns that he murdered. But just as Voldemort drew his wand the figures changed. It was her parents. "Avada Kedavra!" screached Voldemort. A green flash. The bodies lay limp on the sofa. That's when Sky always woke up.

There was a knock on the compartment door. Sky nodded, forehead still pressed against the window. She heard the door open and shut. The newcomer took the seat opposite her.

"It's good to see you too." said Remus with a light chuckle. Sky turned to face him. He looked just as tired as she felt. New scars were on is face, his clothes were even shabbier, but the sight of her best friend made Sky smile.

"I'm sorry Remus." she said.

"Don't worry about it." he said, shrugging. Then he looked at her closely. "Something wrong?"

"Just a few bad dreams, nothing to worry about." she said, smiling weakly.

"Are you sure? You look awful."

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Well, you know I'm here for you if you need me." he said, smiling warmly at her.

"Thank you."

They sat in silence for a while, before Sky spoke again. "Have you seen Sirius?".

"I haven't, no. He'll probably be with James, I'm sure he'll find us."

Remus was right. Ten minutes later the compartment door slid open and in came Sirius and James.

"Hi, guys!" said James, who was evidently happy to see his friends. He plonked himself down in the seat next to Remus while Sirius took the seat next to Sky, giving her a peck on the cheek.

She smiled and leant her head against his shoulder. Sky had decided not to tell Sirius about the dreams, so she had to pretend she was happy to avoid difficult questions. It wasn't that she didn't trust Sirius it was just that she didn't know how he would react, she was scared that he might do something reckless. She didn't want to cause anyone else any harm.

Sirius had wrapped his arm around Sky's waist and was now chatting with Remus and James. But he noticed that Sky wasn't talking. He turned to see her absent-mindedly staring out of the window, in her own little world.

"Are you okay, Sky?" he asked, giving her a quick squeeze around the waist. She seemed to snap out of a trance.

"Oh, um, yeah, sorry. I'm just tired. Bad sleeping habits over the holiday, you know?" she said, forcing a smile onto her face. Sirius nodded but didn't seem completely convinced. As Sky turned back to the window Remus caught her eye, he still looked very concerned. "I'll tell you later." she mouthed. And with that she slumped against the window and slid into a light sleep.

Two weeks later

Sky sat down in one of the plush armchairs in the library and pulled nurmerous books from her bag. Remus took the seat opposite her and copied her actions. Their year had a couple of tests in a few days, to check on their porgress over the past three or four months. Sky and Remus, being the most academic students in the Marauders decided to study together. It also gave Sky the oppurtunity to tell Remus everything that she didn't want Sirius knowing. In one of their early study sessions she had told him why she wouldn't tell Sirius about her nightmares. After she explained he completely agreed. Sirius was known for to doing reckless things, especially when enraged, saddened or worried.